Photo by CHRIS LEONARD/

Manteca High’s speedy 5-9, 194-yard senior running back accomplished just that against crosstown rival East Union in the Valley Oak League finale Friday at Guss Schmiedt Field, amassing 231 yards on 16 carries in the process.

But more importantly, he led the Buffaloes to a lopsided 69-21 win to secure a Sac-Joaquin Division III playoff berth.

Against the Lancers (2-5, 4-6 overall), he had hoped for his team to build up a lead in order to pull out his starters.

The Buffaloes (5-2, 7-3) also accomplished that goal. But East Union, behind the play, of quarterback Dennis Johnson didn’t go down without a fight.

On its first possession, Manteca went 71 yards on nine plays as Miller handled much of the payload, scoring on a 9-yard run.

The Lancers answered back with Johnson engineering a 9-play, 76-yard drive. He had passes of 18- and 33- yards to T.J. Brown, setting up his 2-yard scoring run. Delon McGuire’s kick tied the game at 7-7.

Manteca surged ahead on Miller’s 24-yard TD run late in the third quarter.

The Lancers were pinned down on their ensuing possession, giving the Buffaloes excellent field position following the punt. Two plays later, Miller was off to the races, scoring on 29-yard run.

Down 21-7, East Union drove deep into Manteca territory thanks to a Johnson pass to Inderbitzin coupled with penalties.

But the Lancers’ drive stalled at the 15. Miller, on the first play, darted 85 yards to pay dirt.

Just before the intermission, Zack Vivit extended Manteca’s lead by scoring on a 6-yard run.

Miller’s closed out his evening with a 44-yard TD run early in the third quarter. “My line did a great job all night long,” Miller later said.

Like Miller, East Union’s Ricky Inderbitzin, who is also senior, had a personal goal.

“All year long I wanted a chance to throw the ball,” he said.

His chance came in the second half, resulting in a 44-yard pass to Brown on the option play.

Inderbitzin also hauled in 11 passes for 103 yards, scoring on an 8-yard pass play from Johnson in the third quarter.

Reis, meanwhile, was impressed by the Lancers’ efforts on offense.

“They’re good and they showed it,” he said.

Johnson completed 23 of his 38 passes for 263 yards with no interceptions. He also connected with Brown on a 15-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter.

In addition, the Manteca coach was pleased with his own signal-caller, Matt Burrows.

According to Reis, Burrows has made the most of his opportunity since stepping in for injured quarterback Matt Barber (concussion).

He certainly was efficient, completing 7 of 8 passes for 224 yards including an 85-yard scoring bomb to Reggie Bell.

“We’re very fortunate to have (Matt Burrows) here and ready to play,” Reis said.